Synodality as a remedy for clericalism . . .

Pope Francis’s Intention
Each pope has his own style and set of priorities; his own understanding of the challenges the Church is facing at this time, and how he wants to respond to them. Pope Francis is no different. We might say his style is “pastoral,” rather than doctrinal, and in keeping with that, he tends to appoint bishops who are good, faith-filled pastors. But if we focus only on that, I believe we miss the forest for the trees.

If choosing bishops that are good, faith-filled pastors are the trees, what kind of forest is Pope Francis cultivating? I believe, that as much as he sees himself as a pastor and a promoter of pastors, he also sees himself as a reformer, shepherding the Church through what he perceives is a time that necessitates change.

What kind of change? That is the question.

If you have followed his papacy, you know that from its beginning, Pope Francis has been critical of clericalism, the imbalance or inappropriate use of power and authority within the Church.

In its worst form, clericalism can lead to abuse of power, and the incorrect idea that the clergy are the Church; that they are what holds the Church together and defines it.

But clericalism can also lead to burnout and isolation. If a person who is charge of something is unable or unwilling to delegate authority, that person may find himself juggling too many responsibilities, and less gets done, or done well.

Finally, clericalism can result in a lack of new ideas. If all the decisionmakers within a system are too alike - educated and promoted based on a particular set of ideas - that limits their experience and viewpoints, and the solutions to problems they are likely to come up with.

But the fault for clericalism doesn’t just lie with clergy. The laity may always be hanging back and waiting for the clergy to act. Or they may be putting the clergy up on a pedestal, and not voicing legitimate concerns even when they exist.

It turns out that the more power and authority you reserve to yourself, the more passive those you hold authority over become. It’s a vicious circle that serves neither clergy or laity, nor the Church, well.

The final observation I want to make about clericalism is that I think of it as a kind of religious version of authoritarianism. As we see in the temporal world, uncertain times make people uncomfortable, even fearful. The certain past begins to look better than the uncertain future. One rational response is to fall back on what is known, what worked in the past, and on those who say forcefully that the answer is to go back to the tried and true. It appears that in this moment, parts of the Church, as well as the world, prefer past certainty over future uncertainty.

What is the solution? I believe Pope Francis thinks it is synodality: clergy and laity walking together, listening to each other - and especially the Holy Spirit - to discern the future direction of the Church; clergy and laity, working together to exercise co-responsibility in mission.

If you’d like to read more about this issue, you can go back to my earlier posts Are Bishops the Key to Synodality? on 9/27/2024 and How bishops are chosen on 9/26/2024.